Event Report: A New Chapter in Canada-Japan Relations: A Giant Leap Forward in Light of Geopolitical Realities and Global Challenges
On October 8th, the Centre for the Study of Global Japan hosted Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi from the Embassy of Japan in Canada for a presentation on contemporary Japan-Canada relations.
The event began with opening remarks by CSGJ Director Phillip Lipscy, who introduced Ambassador Yamanouchi and highlighted current geopolitical challenges, particularly military conflicts and political transitions occurring around the globe.
Ambassador Yamanouchi then provided an optimistic perspective, asserting that Japan-Canada relations are stronger than ever before and that these growing ties are not coincidental. He compared the contemporary political landscape to that of a decade ago through five defining elements: geopolitics, global governance, climate change, technology, and global health. As the world becomes increasingly complex and uncertain, the question of which countries can be trusted has become paramount in diplomacy. Ambassador Yamanouchi emphasized the importance of countries like Japan building strong relationships with other like-minded nations, particularly Canada and Australia. He highlighted the need for Japan to actively engage in the international order and the value of cultivating friendships and alliances worldwide.
The ambassador further discussed how Canada and Japan are becoming more valuable to each other, particularly through their developing Indo-Pacific strategies. Although Canada has traditionally been associated with European nations, there has been a concerted effort to strengthen relationships across the Pacific. One crucial way Japan and Canada have been enhancing their ties is through technology and trade. Ambassador Yamanouchi stressed the importance of the Paris Agreement's goals for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To reach this target, countries like Japan and Canada must explore ways to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and promote the use of electric vehicles.
He noted that powerful lithium batteries are essential for creating long-lasting electric vehicles and emphasized Canada's potential as a reliable source for lithium resources. Ambassador Yamanouchi highlighted the value of Canada being a trustworthy nation capable of producing electric vehicles from start to finish. In this context, Japanese company Honda has invested $15 billion in Ontario to create a comprehensive electric vehicle supply chain, marking the largest investment ever made in Canada. He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how easily global supply chains can be disrupted, and that establishing a comprehensive supply chain in one location could help companies mitigate future disruptions.
Ambassador Yamanouchi also discussed the significance of Canadian resources, particularly critical minerals that can be traded with Japan. This has led to collaborations between Japanese and Canadian companies focused on nuclear power and the production of computer chips. He highlighted other examples of cooperation between the two countries, including joint military training between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and Canadian forces, academic partnerships, and the close relationships among the leaders of each nation.
Following Ambassador Yamanouchi’s presentation, there was a lively Q&A session. Attendees posed questions about career advice for students interested in Japan, Canada’s role in the Quad, and innovative approaches to security in the Pacific.
We would like to thank Ambassador Yamanouchi for his insightful discussion and the audience for their engaged participation.
If you missed the event and would like to watch it, the recording can be found here. All CSGJ event recordings can found on our Recorded Events page.
